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Green Leads Norman Struggles at Australian Open

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SYDNEY, Australia -- Nathan Green shot a 5-under-par 67 in cold, windy and rainy conditions at Royal Sydney on Thursday to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Australian Open.

With heavy rain and gusting winds affecting most of the morning players, Green, starting from the 10th hole, had five straight pars before birdies on Nos. 15 and 16 and a bogey on the 18th. He had four birdies on his final nine.

Only six of the 143 starters finished under par Thursday, with more than 40 golfers shooting 80 or higher.

Off the tee was nothing impressive, but the rest of my game was OK today, Green said. My pace was pretty good, and I managed to hit a lot of greens.

Richard Green, who plays regularly on the European Tour, was tied for second with fellow Australian Jarrod Lyle at 69. Australians Peter Lonard, Andrew Martin and Ryan Haller were another two shots back. PGA Tour Championship winner Adam Scott had a 74 and defending champion Robert Allenby shot 77.

Although the rain held off for most of the afternoon players, the wind picked up, drying, hardening and speeding up the greens.

Morning starter Richard Green, no relation to Nathan, said the conditions were the most difficult hes seen all year.

At the Irish Open in May, the wind was coming sideways and we had lots of rain, he said. Today, it was the same thing but it was cold, very cold. Very surprising for this time of year.

U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy was at even-par 72, and counted himself lucky.

It was probably one of the toughest rounds Ive played all year, he said. I kind of hung in there. In the squalls, against the wind, I was hitting my 3-iron 160 or 170 yards. I usually hit it about 230.

It would be really easy today to put up a big number and be gone. It can only improve from here.

Greg Norman, who has won the Australian Open five times, had a horrendous day, shooting a 79 while playing in the same threesome as Nathan Green. Normans son, Greg Jr., caddied for his dad.

Sometimes I hit some good shots and sometimes I dont, the 51-year-old Norman said. If you dont play a lot of golf in these conditions, youre going to pay the price. Hopefully I can come back tomorrow and shoot in the 60s.

Other scores included 75s for two-time Australian Open champion Aaron Baddeley, Stuart Appleby and American Kevin Stadler. American Bob Estes had a 77 and Australian Craig Parry 82.

Lyle, who earned his U.S. PGA Tour card for next year after his 18th-place finish on the Nationwide Tour, said he was playing without pressure for the first time in months.

The last three months on the Nationwide Tour I felt like I had a heap of pressure, Lyle said. Obviously you want to finish inside that top 20 and I was always around that 17 to 19, 20 mark.

Its just nice to come back to Australian soil, stand up on the tee and know that whatever happens this week Im still going to the PGA Tour next year.

Lyle was diagnosed with leukemia in 1999 and spent nine months in hospital. He made a complete recovery and turned professional in 2004.